Providence Local News

Narragansett Bay Cameras Raise Concerns

Block Island Town Councilor Chris Warfel told The Providence Journal that he wonders who has access to the state's system of 48 surveillance cameras from Providence to Narragansett, and what is done with the recordings. State officials also are asking Block Island officials if they can put a camera in Old Harbor.

Warfel says he and others have questions in light of revelations about the federal government's secret collection of phone and Internet records.

State officials say the cameras are intended to protect bridges from terrorist attacks and to track large vessels, and only law enforcement officials have access.

Each camera's daily recordings are stored for 30 days by a Middletown software company under a state contract.